Vacuum cleaner

ABSTRACT

A vacuum cleaner including a multipurpose suction accessory which includes a cylindrical main body coupled to the handle pipe and including an introduction port formed on a lateral surface of the main body and a discharge port formed at one of both longitudinal end portions of the main body to communicate with the handle pipe, a cylindrical rotating body rotatably coupled to an outside of the main body and including a plurality of suction parts formed on a lateral surface of the rotating body and spaced a predetermined distance from each other in a circumferential direction, the suction ports being sequentially positioned to correspond to the introduction port of the main body by rotating the rotating body with respect to the main body, and a locker to restrict rotation of the rotating body with respect to the main body.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No.10-2013-0066966, filed on Jun. 12, 2013 in the Korean IntellectualProperty Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein byreference.

BACKGROUND

1. Field

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a vacuum cleaner havinga multipurpose suction accessory.

2. Description of the Related Art

A vacuum cleaner is a home appliance to perform cleaning operation. Thevacuum cleaner generally includes a body to generate suction force, asuction head to contact a surface to be cleaned so as to suction air anddirt, a handle pipe manipulated by a user, an extension pipe to connectthe suction head to the handle pipe, and a flexible hose to connect thehandle pipe to the body.

The vacuum cleaner may be provided with various kinds of suctionaccessories to perform cleaning in place of the suction head dependingupon the type, shape and condition of the surface to be cleaned. Thesuction accessories are generally separately provided. They areindividually coupled to the handle pipe when in use.

SUMMARY

Therefore, it is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide a vacuumcleaner having a multipurpose suction accessory that may be providedwith various kinds of suction parts and perform cleaning using one ofthe suction parts.

Additional aspects of the disclosure will be set forth in part in thedescription which follows and, in part, will be apparent from thedescription, or may be learned by practice of the disclosure.

In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a vacuumcleaner includes a body to generate suction force, a suction head tocontact a surface to be cleaned so as to suction air and dirt, a handlepipe manipulated by a user, a flexible hose to connect the handle pipeto the body, an extension pipe to connect the suction head to the handlepipe, and a multipurpose suction accessory coupled to the handle pipe toreplace the suction head to perform cleaning, wherein the multipurposesuction accessory includes a cylindrical main body coupled to the handlepipe, the main body including at least one introduction port formed on alateral surface of the main body and a discharge port formed at one ofboth longitudinal end portions of the main body to communicate with thehandle pipe, a cylindrical rotating body rotatably coupled to an outsideof the main body and including a plurality of suction parts formed on alateral surface of the rotating body and spaced a predetermined distancefrom each other in a circumferential direction, the suction parts beingsequentially positioned to correspond to the introduction port of themain body by rotating the rotating body with respect to the main body,and a locker to restrict rotation of the rotating body with respect tothe main body.

Herein, the suction parts may include a suction port to suction air anddirt on the surface to be cleaned and a brush to guide suction of theair and dirt.

The brushes of the suction parts may have a different shape and adifferent purpose of use.

In addition, the plurality of suction parts may include four suctionparts.

Herein, the suction parts may be disposed on the lateral surface of therotating body and spaced 90 degrees from each other in a circumferentialdirection.

In addition, the suction port may be provided to both sides of the brushfacing in a circumferential direction, or the brush may be provided toboth sides of the suction port facing in the circumferential direction.

The vacuum cleaner may further include a sealing member provided betweenthe main body and the rotating body to seal a gap between the main bodyand the rotating body.

Herein, an outer surface of the sealing member may be coated with a filmformed of a smooth material to allow the rotating body to smoothlyrotate.

In addition, the locker may include a plurality of accommodation groovesformed on an outer surface of the main body and spaced a predetermineddistance from each other in the circumferential direction, a platespring arranged at the rotating body and provided with a protrusionadapted to be accommodated in the accommodation grooves.

Alternatively, the locker may include a plurality of locking groovesformed at one longitudinal end of the rotating body and spaced apredetermined distance from each other in the circumferential direction,an insertion protrusion slidably arranged on an outer surface of themain body so as to be inserted into the locking grooves, and acompression spring to elastically support the insertion protrusion in adirection of insertion of the insertion protrusion into the lockinggrooves.

An opening may be formed at one of the longitudinal end portions of themain body, and a crevice member for cleaning of crevices may be coupledto the opening.

In addition, the main body may be telescopically formed to extend andcontract in a longitudinal direction thereof.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a vacuumcleaner includes a body to generate suction force, a suction head tocontact a surface to be cleaned so as to suction air and dirt, a handlepipe manipulated by a user, and a multipurpose suction accessory coupledto the handle pipe to replace the suction head to perform cleaning,wherein the multipurpose suction accessory includes a cylindrical mainbody including at least one introduction port formed on a lateralsurface of the main body, a cylindrical rotating body including aplurality of suction parts formed on a lateral surface of the rotatingbody and spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction,the rotating body being rotatably coupled to an outside of the mainbody, and a sealing member provided between the main body and therotating body to seal a gap between the main body and the rotating body.

Herein, the vacuum cleaner may further include a locker to restrictrotation of the rotating body with respect to the main body.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and/or other aspects of the disclosure will become apparent andmore readily appreciated from the following description of embodiments,taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating the overall configuration of a vacuumcleaner according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a multipurposesuction accessory of the vacuum cleaner according to the firstembodiment;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the multipurpose suctionaccessory of the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment, whichis taken along line I-I of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the multipurpose suctionaccessory of the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment, whichis taken along line II-II of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a first usage mode of the multipurposesuction accessory of the vacuum cleaner according to the firstembodiment;

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating a second usage mode of the multipurposesuction accessory of the vacuum cleaner according to the firstembodiment;

FIG. 7 is a view illustrating a third usage mode of the multipurposesuction accessory of the vacuum cleaner according to the firstembodiment;

FIG. 8 is a view illustrating a fourth usage mode of the multipurposesuction accessory of the vacuum cleaner according to the firstembodiment;

FIG. 9 is a view showing the external appearance of a multipurposesuction accessory of a vacuum cleaner according to a second embodimentof the present disclosure;

FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the configurationof the multipurpose suction accessory of the vacuum cleaner according tothe second embodiment;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the multipurpose suctionaccessory of the vacuum cleaner according to the second embodiment,which is taken along line III-Ill of FIG. 9;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the multipurpose suctionaccessory of the vacuum cleaner according to the second embodiment,which is taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 9;

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a multipurpose suction accessory of avacuum cleaner according to a third embodiment of the presentdisclosure; and

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating a multipurpose suction accessory of avacuum cleaner according to a fourth embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the presentdisclosure, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like componentsthroughout.

FIG. 1 is a view illustrating the overall configuration of a vacuumcleaner according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure.

Referring to FIG. 1, a vacuum cleaner 1 includes a body 10 to generatesuction force, a suction head 21 to contact a surface to be cleaned soas to suction air and dirt, a handle pipe 30 manipulated by a user, anextension pipe 20 to connect the suction head 21 to the handle pipe 30,a flexible hose 23 to connect the handle pipe 30 to the body 10, and amultipurpose suction accessory 40 separately provided to be coupled tothe handle pipe 30 in place of the suction head 21.

The body 10 includes a fan motor unit (not shown) to generate suctionforce and a dust collector (not shown) to remove dirt from the suctionedair.

The suction head 21 is caused to suction air and dirt by the suctionforce generated in the body 10. The suction head 21 may clean a typicalsurface and be formed in a relatively wide and flat shape.

The air and dirt suctioned through the suction head 21 may be guided tothe extension pipe 20. The extension pipe 20 may be a pipe formed ofresin or metal, for example.

The handle pipe 30 may be detachably coupled to an end portion of theextension pipe 20. A user may easily manipulate orientations of thesuction head 21 and the extension pipe 20, holding the handle pipe 30.Various operational interfaces 32 such as buttons allowing selection offunctions of the vacuum cleaner 1 may be provided to the handle pipe 30.

The flexible hose 23 is provided between the handle pipe 30 and the body10. The flexible hose 23 may be formed of a flexible resin material, forexample, allowing the handle pipe 30 to be freely moved.

In this configuration, air and dirt on a surface to be cleaned aresuctioned through the suction head 21 by the suction force generated inthe body 10. The suctioned air and dirt sequentially pass through theextension pipe 20, the handle pipe 30, and the flexible hose 23 and arethen guided to the body 10. In the body 10, dirt in the suctioned airmay be filtered out and purified air may be discharged from the body 10.

The multipurpose suction accessory 40 is a part that replaces thesuction head 21 formed in a relatively wide and flat shape when surfacessuch as corners, window frames, pet hair, and fabrics are cleaned.

The multipurpose suction accessory 40 may be coupled to the handle pipe30 in place of the extension pipe 20. When the multipurpose suctionaccessory 40 is to be used, the extension pipe 20 may be detached fromthe handle pipe 30, and then the multipurpose suction accessory 40 maybe coupled to the handle pipe 30. In the case that normal cleaning is tobe performed again using the suction head 21, the multipurpose suctionaccessory 40 may be detached from the handle pipe 30 and then theextension pipe 20 may be coupled to the handle pipe 30.

As a non-limiting example, the multipurpose suction accessory 40 of thisembodiment is provided with a plurality of suction parts 81, 82, 83 and84 (FIG. 2) each of which serves a different purpose. After coupling themultipurpose suction accessory 40 to the handle pipe 30, the user mayselect one of the suction parts 81, 82, 83 and 84 to perform cleaning.Accordingly, the multipurpose suction accessory 40 may be a four-in-onestructure. However, the number of suction parts is not limited thereto.One or more suction parts may be provided for the multipurpose suctionaccessory 40. Hereinafter, the configuration and operation of themultipurpose suction accessory 40 of this embodiment will be describedin detail with reference to the drawings.

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a multipurposesuction accessory of the vacuum cleaner according to the firstembodiment. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view illustrating themultipurpose suction accessory of the vacuum cleaner according to thefirst embodiment, which is taken along line I-I of FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 isa cross-sectional view illustrating the multipurpose suction accessoryof the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment, which is takenalong line II-II of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a view illustrating a first usagemode of the multipurpose suction accessory of the vacuum cleaneraccording to the first embodiment, FIG. 6 is a view illustrating asecond usage mode of the multipurpose suction accessory of the vacuumcleaner according to the first embodiment, FIG. 7 is a view illustratinga third usage mode of the multipurpose suction accessory of the vacuumcleaner according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 8 is a viewillustrating a fourth usage mode of the multipurpose suction accessoryof the vacuum cleaner according to the first embodiment.

Referring to FIGS. 2 and 8, the multipurpose suction accessory 40includes a cylindrical main body 50 coupled to the handle pipe 30 and acylindrical rotating body 80 rotatably coupled to an outside of the mainbody 50.

One or more introduction ports 52 through which air and dirt on asurface to be cleaned are introduced is formed on the lateral surface 51of the main body 50, and a discharge port 56 through which the air anddirt introduced through the introduction port 52 is discharged to thehandle pipe 30 is formed at one longitudinal end portion of the mainbody 50. A passage 54 (FIG. 3) connecting the introduction port 52 tothe discharge port 56 is formed in the main body 50.

The introduction port 52 may be formed at one side portion of thelateral surface 51 and provided with a reinforcing rib 53.

An opening 55 may be formed at the other longitudinal end portion of themain body 50, and a cap 66 may be coupled to the opening 55 to close theopening 55. The cap 66 may be provided with a hook 67 to fix the same.By coupling the hook 67 to a restriction groove 58 provided to the mainbody 50, the cap 66 may be fixed to the main body 50.

The rotating body 80 is rotatably arranged at the outside of the mainbody 50 to surround the outer surface of the main body 50. The lateralsurface of the rotating body 80 is provided with a plurality of suctionparts 81, 82, 83 and 84 spaced a predetermined distance from each otherin a circumferential direction.

Accordingly, when the rotating body 80 rotates, the suction parts 81,82, 83 and 84 may sequentially match the introduction port 52 of themain body 50.

In this embodiment, the plurality of suction parts 81, 82, 83 and 84includes four suction parts. The suction parts are respectively providedwith suction ports 81 b, 82 b, 83 b and 84 b to suction air and dirt onthe surface to be cleaned and brushes 81 a, 82 a, 83 a and 84 a to guidesuction of the air and dirt.

When the suction parts 81, 82, 83 and 84 of the rotating body 80 arepositioned to correspond to the introduction port 52 of the main body50, the suction ports 81 b, 82 b, 83 b and 84 b of the suction parts 81,82, 83 and 84 are allowed to communicate with the introduction port 52.

The spirit of the present disclosure is not restricted by the number ofsuction parts. Nor is it restricted by the shapes of the suction partsand kinds of the brushes. Accordingly, the present disclosure should beviewed as covering a certain degree of variation in the number ofsuction parts, the shape of suction parts, and the kind of brushes.

The suction parts 81, 82, 83 and 84 may include a first suction part 81,a second suction part 82, a third suction part 83, and a fourth suctionpart 84. The first suction part 81, the second suction part 82, thethird suction part 83, and the fourth suction part 84 may be disposed,for example, about 90 degrees from each other in a clockwise direction.

The first suction part 81 may include a first brush 81 a and a firstsuction port 81 b, and the second suction part 82 may include a secondbrush 82 a and a second suction port 82 b. The third suction part 83 mayinclude a third brush 83 a and a third suction port 83 b, and the fourthsuction part 84 may include a fourth brush 84 a and a fourth suctionport 84 b.

The first brush 81 a may be a spacer 81 a, and the second brush 82 a maybe a pet hair remover 82 a. The third brush 83 a may be an upholstery 83a for cleaning of fabrics, and the fourth brush 84 a may be a dustingbrush 84 a.

The spacer 81 a may include relatively short hair, and the pet hairremover 82 a may include multiple protrusions. The upholstery 83 a mayinclude a continuous bumpy part, and the dusting brush 84 a may includerelatively long hairs.

As shown in FIGS. 5 to 8, the suction ports 81 b, 82 b and 84 b may beprovided to both sides of each of the spacer 81 a, the pet hair remover82 a, and the dusting brush 84 a in a circumferential direction tosuction air and dirt in two directions. On the other hand, in the caseof the upholstery 83 a, the suction port 83 b may be arranged at thecenter portion of the suction port 83 a and the upholstery 83 a may beprovided to both side portions of the suction port 83 b in thecircumferential direction such that air and dirt are suctioned throughthe center.

In addition, as shown in FIG. 2, the spacer 81 a, the pet hair remover82 a, and the dusting brush 84 a may be mounted, through an adhesivemember, to a brush mounting part 89 provided to the lateral surface ofthe rotating body 80. The upholstery 83, on the other hand, may beintegrated with the rotating body 80.

The multipurpose suction accessory 40 may further include a sealingmember 70 to seal the gap between the main body 50 and the rotating body80 such that the air and dirt suctioned through the suction parts 81,82, 83 and 84 of the rotating body 80 do not leak but are dischargedthrough the discharge port 56 of the main body 50.

The sealing member 70 may be disposed between the main body 50 and therotating body 80 to closely contact the main body 50 and the rotatingbody 80. The sealing member 70 may be provided with an opening 71corresponding to the introduction port 52 to allow the air and dirtsuctioned through the suction parts 81, 82, 83 and 84 of the rotatingbody 80 to be introduced into the introduction port 52 of the main body50.

The sealing member 70 may have rubber such as Ethylene Propylene DieneMonomer (EPDM). To prevent the sealing member 70 from rotating when therotating body 80 rotates, the outer surface 72 of the sealing member 70which the rotating body 80 contacts may be coated with a film formed ofa relatively smooth material. Thereby, when the rotating body 80rotates, the sealing member 70 may be prevented from rotating byfriction between the sealing member 70 and the main body 50 when therotating body 80 rotates.

The multipurpose suction accessory 40 may include a locker 73 torestrict rotation of the rotating body 80 with respect to the main body50. The locker 73 may include accommodation grooves 59 formed on theouter surface of the main body 50 and spaced a predetermined distancefrom each other in a circumferential direction, and a plate spring 96arranged at the rotating body 80 and provided with a protrusion 99 (FIG.4) adapted to be accommodated in the accommodation grooves 59.

The accommodation grooves 59 are provided equal in number to the numberof the suction parts 81, 82, 83 and 84 and spaced apart from each otherin the circumferential direction to approximately correspond to thespacing between the suction parts 81, 82, 83 and 84.

As illustrated in FIG. 4, the rotating body 80 may include amanipulation part 86 protruding in a radial direction, and themanipulation part 86 may include an accommodation space 87 toaccommodate the plate spring 96 and a support 88 to support a base 97 ofthe plate spring 96.

The plate spring 96 may include the base 97 and a movable part 98. Theplate spring 96 may be elastically deformed such that the angle betweenthe base 97 and the movable part 98 increases and decreases. Theprotrusion 99 may be formed at the movable part 98 so as to beaccommodated in the accommodation grooves 59 of the main body 50.

When the protrusion 99 of the plate spring 96 is accommodated in one ofthe accommodation grooves 59 of the main body 50, rotations of therotating body 80 with respect to the main body 50 may be restricted.

When the rotating body 80 remaining in the aforementioned position isrotated with respect to the main body 50 by applying a force greaterthan the elastic force of the plate spring 96, the plate spring 96 maybe compressed, causing the protrusion 99 of the plate spring 96 to bereleased from the accommodation groove 59.

In this manner, the protrusion 99 of the plate spring 96 may besequentially accommodated in the accommodation grooves 59 of the mainbody 50 according to rotation of the rotating body 80. Rotation of therotating body 80 may be restricted every time the rotating body 80rotates about 90 degrees.

Next, operation of multipurpose suction accessory 40 of the vacuumcleaner according to the first embodiment will be described below withreference to FIGS. 1 to 8.

In FIG. 5 showing the first usage mode in which the first suction part81 is used among the plurality of suction parts, the first suction part81 of the rotating body 80 is positioned to correspond to theintroduction port 52 of the main body 50 (FIG. 2). In this position, theprotrusion 99 of the plate spring 96 is accommodated in theaccommodation groove 59 of the main body 50. Thereby, the rotating body80 is fixed to the main body 50.

The user may clean a surface to be cleaned through the spacer 81 a.Through the suction ports 81 b formed on both sides of the spacer 81 afacing in the circumferential direction, air and dirt on the surface tobe cleaned may be suctioned (A), and the suctioned air and dirt may beguided to the handle pipe 30 by sequentially passing through theintroduction port 52 of the main body 50, the internal passage 54, andthe discharge port 56 (B).

In FIG. 6 showing the second usage mode in which the second suction part82 is used among the plurality of suction parts, the rotating body 80has rotated about 90 degrees counterclockwise (C) from the position ofthe first usage mode of FIG. 5 such that the second suction part 82 ofthe rotating body 80 corresponds to the introduction port 52 of the mainbody 50 (FIG. 2). At this time, the protrusion 99 of the plate spring 96is accommodated in the accommodation groove 59 of the main body 50.Thereby, the rotating body 80 is fixed to the main body 50.

The user may conduct cleaning by sweeping out hairs of pets with the pethair remover 82 a. Air and dirt may be suctioned through the suctionports 82 b formed on both sides of the pet hair remover 82 a facing inthe circumferential direction (A), and the suctioned air and dirt may beguided to the handle pipe 30 by sequentially passing through theintroduction port 52 of the main body 50, the internal passage 54, andthe discharge port 56 (B).

In FIG. 7 showing the third usage mode in which the third suction part83 is used among the plurality of suction parts, the rotating body 80has further rotated about 90 degrees counterclockwise (C) from theposition of the second usage mode of FIG. 6 such that the third suctionpart 83 of the rotating body 80 corresponds to the introduction port 52of the main body 50 (FIG. 2). At this time, the protrusion 99 of theplate spring 96 is accommodated in the accommodation groove 59 of themain body 50. Thereby, the rotating body 80 is fixed to the main body50.

The user may clean fabrics such as sofas, bedding, and clothing with theupholstery 83 a. Air and dirt may be suctioned through the suction port83 b formed at the center of the upholstery 83 a (A), and the suctionedair and dirt may be guided to the handle pipe 30 by sequentially passingthrough the introduction port 52 of the main body 50, the internalpassage 54, and the discharge port 56 (B).

In FIG. 8 showing the fourth usage mode in which the fourth suction part84 is used among the plurality of suction parts, the rotating body 80has further rotated about 90 degrees counterclockwise (C) from theposition of the third usage mode of FIG. 7 such that the fourth suctionpart 84 of the rotating body 80 corresponds to the introduction port 52of the main body 50 (FIG. 2). At this time, the protrusion 99 of theplate spring 96 is accommodated in the accommodation groove 59 of themain body 50. Thereby, the rotating body 80 is fixed to the main body50.

The user may conduct cleaning by sweeping out window frames and cornerswith the dusting brush 84 a. Air and dirt may be suctioned through thesuction ports 84 b formed on both sides of the dusting brush 84 a facingin the circumferential direction (A), and the suctioned air and dirt maybe guided to the handle pipe 30 by sequentially passing through theintroduction port 52 of the main body 50, the internal passage 54, andthe discharge port 56 (B).

FIG. 9 is a view showing the external appearance of a multipurposesuction accessory of a vacuum cleaner according to a second embodimentof the present disclosure, FIG. 10 is an exploded perspective viewillustrating the configuration of the multipurpose suction accessory ofthe vacuum cleaner according to the second embodiment. FIG. 11 is across-sectional view illustrating the multipurpose suction accessory ofthe vacuum cleaner according to the second embodiment, which is takenalong line III-Ill of FIG. 9, and FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional viewillustrating the multipurpose suction accessory of the vacuum cleaneraccording to the second embodiment, which is taken along line IV-IV ofFIG. 9.

Hereinafter, a multipurpose suction accessory of a vacuum cleaneraccording to the second embodiment will be described with reference toFIGS. 9 to 12. Components disclosed in the previous embodiment will beassigned with the same reference numerals as above and a descriptionthereof may be omitted.

Most of the components of the vacuum cleaner of the second embodimentare identical to those of the first embodiment. A different type of alocker to restrict relative rotation of the rotating body with respectto the main body is shown in the second embodiment component.

A multipurpose suction accessory 240 includes a cylindrical main body250 coupled to the handle pipe 30, and a cylindrical rotating body 280rotatably coupled to an outside of the main body 250.

An introduction port 252 through which air and dirt on a surface to becleaned are introduced is formed on the lateral surface 251 of the mainbody 250, and a discharge port 256 through which the air and dirtintroduced through the introduction port 252 is discharged to the handlepipe 30 is formed at one longitudinal end portion of the main body 250.

An opening 255 may be formed at the other longitudinal end portion ofthe main body 250, and a cap 266 may be coupled to the opening 255 toclose the opening 255. The cap 256 may be provided with a hook 267 tofix the same. By coupling the hook 267 to a restriction groove 258provided to the main body 250, the cap 266 may be fixed to the main body250.

The rotating body 280 is rotatably arranged at the outside of the mainbody 250 to surround the outer surface of the main body 250. The lateralsurface of the rotating body 280 is provided with a plurality of suctionparts 281, 282, 283 and 284 spaced a predetermined distance from eachother in a circumferential direction.

The suction parts 281, 282, 283 and 284 may include a first suction part281, a second suction part 282, a third suction part 283, and a fourthsuction part 284.

The first suction part 281 may include a first brush 281 a and a firstsuction port 281 b, and the second suction part 282 may include a secondbrush 282 a and a second suction port 282 b. The third suction part 283may include a third brush 283 a and a third suction port 283 b, and thefourth suction part 284 may include a fourth brush 284 a and a fourthsuction port 284 b.

The multipurpose suction accessory 240 may further include a sealingmember 270 to seal the gap between the main body 250 and the rotatingbody 280 such that the air and dirt suctioned through the suction parts281, 282, 283 and 284 of the rotating body 280 do not leak but aredischarged through the discharge port 256 of the main body 250.

The sealing member 270 may be provided with an opening 271 correspondingto the introduction port 252 to allow the air and dirt suctioned throughthe suction parts 281, 282, 283 and 284 of the rotating body 280 to beintroduced into the introduction port 252 of the main body 250. Theouter surface 272 of the sealing member 270 may be coated with a filmformed of a relatively smooth material.

The multipurpose suction accessory 240 may include a locker 273 torestrict rotation of the rotating body 280 with respect to the main body250.

As shown in FIG. 10, the locker 273 may include locking grooves 291formed at one longitudinal end portion of the rotating body 280 andspaced a predetermined distance from each other in a circumferentialdirection, an insertion protrusion 287 slidably provided to the outersurface of the main body 250 to be inserted into the locking grooves291, and an elastic member 299, for example, a compression spring toelastically support the insertion protrusion 287 in the direction inwhich the insertion protrusion 287 is inserted into the locking grooves291.

The number of the locking grooves 291 corresponds to that of the numberof the suction parts 281, 282, 283 and 284. The locking grooves 291 arespaced apart from each other in the circumferential direction toapproximately correspond to the spacing between the suction parts 281,282, 283 and 284.

The insertion protrusion 287 may protrude from a manipulation part 286slidably arranged on the outer surface of the main body 250.

An installation groove 259 may be provided to the outer surface of themain body 250, and an installation plate 292 may be mounted to theinstallation groove 259.

The installation plate 292, which serves to slidably support themanipulation part 286, includes an installation protrusion 293, a springsupport 294, and a second restriction protrusion 295 (FIG. 11).

The installation protrusion 293 serves to fix the installation plate 292to the installation groove 259. The installation protrusion 293 isinserted into an insertion groove 260 formed around the installationgroove 259. The spring support 294 supports one end portion of thecompression spring 299. The second restriction protrusion 295 guidesmovement of the manipulation part 286 and at the same time preventsseparation of the manipulation part 286.

The manipulation part 286 includes an insertion protrusion 287 to lockthe rotating body 280 by being inserted into the locking grooves 291, aspring pressing portion 289 (FIG. 12) pressed by elastic force of thecompression spring 299, and a first restriction protrusion 288 (FIG. 11)interfering with the second restriction protrusion 295 of theinstallation plate 292.

Due to this configuration, rotation of the rotating body 280 withrespect to the main body 250 may be restricted when the insertionprotrusion 287 of the manipulation part 286 is inserted into one of thelocking grooves 291 of the rotating body 280.

When the manipulation part 286 is pressed downward by a force strongerthan the elastic force of the compression spring 299 with the insertionprotrusion 287 in the inserted position, the insertion protrusion 287may be released from the locking groove 291, and the rotating body 280may be rotated with respect to the main body 250.

FIG. 13 is a view illustrating a multipurpose suction accessory of avacuum cleaner according to a third embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Hereinafter, a multipurpose suction accessory of a vacuum cleaneraccording to the third embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 13. Constituents disclosed in the previous embodiments will beassigned with the same reference numerals as above and a descriptionthereof may be omitted.

A multipurpose suction accessory 340 includes a cylindrical main body 50coupled to the handle pipe 30 and a cylindrical rotating body 80rotatably coupled to the outside of the main body 50.

A discharge port 56 is formed at one longitudinal end of the main body50 and an opening 55 is formed at the other end portion of the main body50. A crevice member 310 to clean crevices may be coupled to the opening55.

The crevice member 310 may be formed in a long and slim shape to cleancrevices and coupled to the opening 55 in the longitudinal direction ofthe main body 50. The crevice member 310 may be provided with a hook311. By coupling the hook 311 to the restriction groove 58 of the mainbody 50, the crevice member 310 may be fixed to the main body 50.

When the crevice member 310 is used to perform cleaning, theintroduction port 52 (FIG. 2) of the main body 50 and the suction parts81, 82, 83 and 84 of the rotating body 80 (FIG. 2) may be disposed atpositions where the introduction port does not correspond to the suctionparts. That is, the suction parts 81, 82, 83 and 84 of the rotating body80 may be closed, and air and dirt may be suctioned only through thecrevice member 310, so as not to cause loss of suction force. Here, as anon-limiting example, the crevice member 310 is shown to describe a partthat may be coupled to the opening 55, however, the present disclosureis not limited thereto. Any form or shape of the part that has anopening to suck the air in may be coupled to the opening 55.

FIG. 14 is a view illustrating a multipurpose suction accessory of avacuum cleaner according to a fourth embodiment of the presentdisclosure.

Hereinafter, a multipurpose suction accessory of a vacuum cleaneraccording to the fourth embodiment will be described with reference toFIG. 14. Constituents disclosed in the previous embodiments will beassigned with the same reference numerals as above and a descriptionthereof may be omitted.

A multipurpose suction accessory 440 includes a cylindrical main body450 coupled to the handle pipe 30 and a cylindrical rotating body 80rotatably coupled to the outside of the main body 450.

Herein, the main body 450 may be formed to be telescopic such that thelength thereof may increase and decrease.

As shown in FIG. 14, the main body 450 may include, for example, a firstbody 451, a second body 452 slidably coupled to the first body 451, anda third body 453 slidably coupled to the second body 452.

Herein, the sliding structure may employ various commonly knownstructures and may not be specifically limited. This configuration mayenhance cleaning efficiency and usability of the multipurpose suctionaccessory 440.

As is apparent from the above description, a vacuum cleaner according toan embodiment of the present disclosure is provided with a multipurposesuction accessory having a plurality of suction parts. Accordingly,various types of surfaces to be cleaned may be efficiently cleaned usingsimply one multipurpose suction accessory.

In addition, a multipurpose suction accessory according to an embodimentof the present disclosure is provided with a plurality of suction partsarranged on a lateral surface of a rotating body in a circumferentialdirection. Accordingly, the multipurpose suction accessory may come in acompact and simple form even though it has multiple suction parts.

Although a few embodiments of the present disclosure have been shown anddescribed, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatchanges may be made to the embodiments without departing from theprinciples and spirit of the disclosure, the scope of which is definedin the claims and their equivalents.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a body to generate suction force; a suction head to contact a surface to be cleaned so as to suction air and dirt; a handle pipe manipulated by a user; a flexible hose to connect the handle pipe to the body; an extension pipe to connect the suction head to the handle pipe; and a multipurpose suction accessory coupled to the handle pipe to replace the suction head to perform cleaning, wherein the multipurpose suction accessory comprises: a cylindrical main body coupled to the handle pipe, the main body comprising at least one introduction port formed on a lateral surface of the main body and a discharge port formed at one of both longitudinal end portions of the main body to communicate with the handle pipe; a cylindrical rotating body rotatably coupled to an outside of the main body and comprising a plurality of suction parts formed on a lateral surface of the rotating body and spaced a predetermined distance from each other in a circumferential direction, the suction parts being positioned to correspond to the introduction port of the main body by rotating the rotating body with respect to the main body; and a locker to restrict rotation of the rotating body with respect to the main body.
 2. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the suction parts include at least one suction port to suction air and dirt on the surface to be cleaned and a brush to guide suction of the air and dirt.
 3. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein the brushes of the suction parts include a different shape and a different purpose of use.
 4. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of suction parts comprises four suction parts.
 5. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 4, wherein the suction parts are disposed on the lateral surface of the rotating body and spaced about 90 degrees from each other in a circumferential direction.
 6. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein the suction port is provided to both side portions of the brush facing in a circumferential direction.
 7. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 2, wherein the brush is provided to both side portions of the suction port facing in the circumferential direction.
 8. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, further comprising a sealing member provided between the main body and the rotating body to seal a gap between the main body and the rotating body.
 9. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 8, wherein an outer surface of the sealing member is coated with a film formed of a smooth material to allow the rotating body to smoothly rotate.
 10. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the locker comprises a plurality of accommodation grooves formed on an outer surface of the main body and spaced a predetermined distance from each other in the circumferential direction, and an elastic member arranged at the rotating body and provided with a protrusion adapted to be accommodated in the accommodation grooves.
 11. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 10, wherein the elastic member is a plate spring.
 12. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the locker comprises a plurality of locking grooves formed at one longitudinal end portion of the rotating body and spaced a predetermined distance from each other in the circumferential direction, an insertion protrusion slidably arranged on an outer surface of the main body so as to be inserted into the locking grooves, and an elastic member to elastically support the insertion protrusion in a direction of insertion of the insertion protrusion into the locking grooves.
 13. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 12, wherein the elastic member is a compression spring.
 14. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein an opening is formed at one of the longitudinal end portions of the main body, and a crevice member for cleaning of crevices is coupled to the opening.
 15. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 1, wherein the main body is telescopically formed to extend and contract in a longitudinal direction thereof.
 16. A vacuum cleaner comprising: a body to generate suction force; a suction head to contact a surface to be cleaned so as to suction air and dirt; a handle pipe manipulated by a user; and a multipurpose suction accessory coupled to the handle pipe to replace the suction head to perform cleaning, wherein the multipurpose suction accessory comprises: a cylindrical main body comprising at least one introduction port formed on a lateral surface of the main body; a cylindrical rotating body comprising a plurality of suction parts formed on a lateral surface of the rotating body and spaced apart from each other in a circumferential direction, the rotating body being rotatably coupled to an outside of the main body; and a sealing member provided between the main body and the rotating body to seal a gap between the main body and the rotating body.
 17. The vacuum cleaner according to claim 13, further comprising a locker to restrict rotation of the rotating body with respect to the main body.
 18. A multipurpose accessory for a vacuum cleaner comprising: a main body including at least one introduction port formed on a lateral surface of the main body; a rotating body including a plurality of suction parts formed on a lateral surface of the rotating body in a circumferential direction, the rotating body being rotatably coupled to an outer portion of the main body, the suction parts being positioned to correspond to the introduction port of the main body by rotating the rotating body with respect to the main body.
 19. The multipurpose accessory according to claim 18, further comprising a locker to restrict rotation of the rotating body with respect to the main body,
 20. The multipurpose accessory according to claim 19, wherein the locker includes a plurality of accommodation grooves formed on an outer portion of the main body, and an elastic member provided at the rotating body to be accommodated in the accommodation grooves.
 21. The multipurpose accessory according to claim 19, wherein the locker includes a plurality of locking grooves formed at one end portion of the rotating body, an insertion protrusion provided at an outer portion of the main body so as to be inserted into the locking grooves, and an elastic member to elastically support the insertion protrusion. 